"Considering that they are out of their depth, I am not surprised." James smirked faintly, before his own expression sobered. He didn't tell the story, at all, but he would keep it brief.

"... My family - my mother, father, and older brother and I were all taken by blood mages on our way to the Grand Tourney. The maleficarium sacrificed my parents and my brother to their ritual, right before my eyes. They were about to sacrifice me, when the Templars came and saved me. From that point on ... I wanted to be part of something that would protect families from the dangers of magic."

He eyed his sword, and started to hone the edges. "It wasn't until I had taken my Vigil, and stood in my first Circle that I truly began to understand that mages did not just need to be protected against -- but needed protection themselves. That they had a purpose, a part of the Maker's plan, just as I did. That there were those who had faith as strong as I did that the Maker put them there to do good, and I ... well. I had two mentors, in Ostwick. One was my own Knight Commander, and one was the First Enchanter, if that tells you anything."